Design & Manufacturing Defects Archives

We talk a lot on this blog about dangerous, defective and poorly designed products and how they can be harmful to Minnesota families. This is certainly true, and federal regulators, product designers, manufacturers, and sellers should all be working together to keep consumers safe. But what, exactly, do regulations say about defectively manufactured products?

If you are a parent, then you probably spend a significant amount of time either buying your children toys or supervising them while they play with them. Most of the time, we watch our children play with these toys without much thought, but as was discussed last week on the blog, toys go through a lot of testing in an effort to ensure safety. While the efforts are admirable, the fact of the matter is that far too many unsafe toys make it to market.

Those Minnesotans who have children probably spend a good amount of money on new toys. Though many of us buy these items without much thought, government regulations attempt to strictly control toy quality to ensure consumer safety. When a company fails to comply with these standards, then significant harm may befall a child.

It's a sad reality, but the fact is that just about any consumer product can be dangerous. Though some may only be dangerous when used in a way for which the product was not intended, other defective and poorly designed products are dangerous in their intended, every day usage. These latter products can pose a significant risk to consumers, threatening to injure them without notice. Oftentimes, these poorly designed products are recalled, but many times it is too late.

A consumer product must go through many stages before it hits the market. Products typically go through an extensive design period where safety, functionality and consumer satisfaction are the goals. Yet, even though a product is satisfactorily designed, it may still be dangerous when it goes on sale for consumers. All too often, manufacturing defects render products dangerous, putting consumers at significant risk of harm.

Consumers should never have to worry if the products they are buying and using are safe when used as intended. Yet, as discussed on the blog a few weeks ago, product design defects can leave consumers at risk of harm. Victims of poorly designed products may suffer serious injuries, including broken bones, head and neck injuries, permanent disability and even death. Recovering from this harm can be difficult and could take a significant period of time, if recovery is possible at all.

Consumer products must be designed, manufactured and marketed to consumers in a way that ensures their safety to the fullest extent. Though many products are safe so long as they are used as intended, there are many others that leave everyday people seriously injured. When this happens, severe losses may take hold, including medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. Therefore, it is important to understand products liability law and how it may come into play at any time.

There's an unstated belief that when a person or company purchases a product, it will be designed and manufactured properly so that it's functional and safe. This belief is innate, otherwise what's the purpose of buying the item in the first place? Simply because a product is sold doesn't mean that it will be designed in the proper way.

Construction is a major part in society and residents in Minnesota often witness a new building or home being built or construction taken place on the roadways. No matter the reason for construction, it is important the certain standards are met. If the professional standard of care is not carried out, then design defects could occur. This could ultimately lead to construction defects that could be the cause for injuries and even substantial damages.

Minnesota is among 18 states represented in a recent class action lawsuit against the Caterpillar construction equipment company. The lawsuit alleges product design defects in some Caterpillar diesels that caused the plaintiffs to suffer financially. No fewer than 16 engine-related lawsuits against the company have preceded this one.

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